Tree stand and securement mechanism

Abstract

A tree stand is disclosed for use in supporting an occupant in an elevated position in a tree. The tree stand includes: a ladder assembly; a support structure secured to the ladder assembly; a jaw assembly; a strap assembly; and an anchor that is securable to the tree. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaws, and is pivotally secured to the support structure such that the jaws are inwardly movable to close the jaw assembly. The strap assembly includes a first strap that extends from the support structure into contact with the first jaw, and a second strap that extends from the support structure into contact with the second jaw. The strap assembly is connectable to the anchor such that the straps are arranged in overlapping, crosswise relation behind the tree, whereby a tensioning force applied to the strap assembly forces the jaws inwardly towards the tree.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tree stand for use in supporting an occupant in an elevated position in a tree, the tree stand comprising:
 a ladder assembly; 
 a support structure secured to the ladder assembly and configured to support the occupant of the tree stand; 
 a jaw assembly including first and second jaws directly and pivotally secured to the support structure such that each of the first and second jaws is inwardly movable to close the jaw assembly; 
 a strap assembly including first and second straps, the first strap extending from the support structure and laterally outward of the first jaw such that the first strap slidably engages an outermost lateral surface of the first jaw, and the second strap extending from the support structure and laterally outward of the second jaw such that the second strap slidably engages an outermost lateral surface of the second jaw; and 
 an anchor securable to the tree, the strap assembly being connectable to the anchor such that the first and second straps are free from contact with the ladder assembly and are arranged in overlapping, crosswise relation behind the tree, whereby a tensioning force applied to the strap assembly forces the first and second jaws inwardly towards the tree. 
 
     
     
       2. The tree stand of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a platform, and a seat supported by the platform. 
     
     
       3. The tree stand of  claim 1 , wherein the first jaw includes a first strap routing member configured to receive the first strap such that the first strap extends from the support structure through the first strap routing member, and the second jaw includes a second strap routing member configured to receive the second strap such that the second strap extends from the support structure through the second strap routing member. 
     
     
       4. The tree stand of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second jaws each include a first linear segment pivotally secured to the support structure, and a second linear segment that extends transversely in relation to the first linear segment, the first strap routing member being fixedly secured to the first linear segment of the first jaw and the second strap routing member being fixedly secured to the first linear segment of the second jaw. 
     
     
       5. The tree stand of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second jaws each include an arcuate segment extending between the first and second linear segments. 
     
     
       6. The tree stand of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second jaws are each unitary in construction. 
     
     
       7. The tree stand of  claim 3 , further including a standoff bracket having a first end configured for engagement with the ladder assembly, and a second end configured for engagement with the tree, the standoff bracket being configured to support the ladder assembly to inhibit bowing of the ladder assembly towards the tree under a load. 
     
     
       8. The tree stand of  claim 7 , wherein the anchor is configured for engagement with the standoff bracket. 
     
     
       9. The tree stand of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor is configured as a strap that is extendable from the second end of the standoff bracket such that the anchor is circumscribable about the tree. 
     
     
       10. A tree stand comprising:
 a ladder assembly; 
 a support structure secured to the ladder assembly and configured to support an occupant in an elevated position in a tree; 
 a strap assembly including first and second straps directly secured to the support structure; 
 a jaw assembly including first and second jaws pivotally secured to the support structure, wherein the first strap extends about the first jaw in direct contact with an outermost lateral surface thereof and the second strap extends about the second jaw in direct contact with an outermost lateral surface thereof; and 
 an anchor securable to the tree, the strap assembly extending between the support structure and the anchor such that the first and second straps are free from engagement with the ladder assembly, wherein the first strap contacts the first jaw to apply an inwardly directed force thereto and the second strap contacts the second jaw to apply an inwardly directed force thereto. 
 
     
     
       11. The tree stand of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second straps are arrangeable in overlapping, crosswise relation behind the tree such that, upon application of a tensioning force to the strap assembly, the strap assembly pushes the first and second jaws inwardly towards the tree. 
     
     
       12. The tree stand of  claim 11 , wherein the first jaw includes a first strap routing member configured to receive the first strap such that the first strap is in direct contact with the first jaw, and the second jaw includes a second strap routing member configured to receive the second strap such that the second strap is in direct contact with the second jaw, the first and second straps being movable in relation to the first and second jaws upon application of the tensioning force. 
     
     
       13. The tree stand of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second jaws are each unitary in construction. 
     
     
       14. The tree stand of  claim 12 , further including a standoff bracket having a first end configured for engagement with the ladder assembly, and a second end configured for engagement with the tree, the standoff bracket being configured to support the ladder assembly to inhibit bowing of the ladder assembly towards the tree under a load. 
     
     
       15. The tree stand of  claim 14 , wherein the anchor is configured for engagement with the standoff bracket. 
     
     
       16. A tree stand comprising:
 a ladder assembly; 
 an anchor extending from the ladder assembly; 
 a support structure secured to the ladder assembly and configured to support an occupant of the tree stand; 
 a jaw assembly directly and pivotally secured to the support structure such that the jaw assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position; and 
 a strap assembly having a first section secured to the support structure and a second section secured to the anchor such that the strap assembly is free from engagement with the ladder assembly, the strap assembly extending into slidable engagement with outermost lateral surfaces of the jaw assembly such that tension applied to the strap assembly applies an inwardly directed force to the jaw assembly to move the jaw assembly from the open position to the closed position. 
 
     
     
       17. The tree stand of  claim 16 , wherein the jaw assembly includes first and second jaws pivotally secured to the support structure. 
     
     
       18. The tree stand of  claim 17 , wherein the strap assembly includes a first strap extending into slidable engagement with the first jaw and a second strap extending into slidable engagement with the second jaw.